64: Chapter 64: They're asking for money again?!

Jiangning Prefecture, study.

Li Ling sat on his grand armchair, legs crossed, bargaining with the system.

"I say, System, can't you be generous for once?" He looked aggrieved. "Although the three Dreadnoughts from the last loan are almost completed, they are still not enough to face the United Fleet's fifty-odd vessels."

[Host, the system has already been very generous. Any other system would have ignored you long ago.]

"Other systems?" Li Ling rolled his eyes. "Could any other system be as stingy as you?"

[The system is not stingy; the system is merely allocating resources reasonably.]

"Reasonable allocation?" Li Ling almost jumped up. "Calculate it for me: how many things have I gotten from you over the years? The novice gift pack, lottery rewards, the Production Base, loans... which one of those didn't I have to ask for? What have you ever given me of your own accord?"

[The Super Deluxe Gift Pack.]

"...Except for that."

[The system gives you resource points every month; that is also given of its own accord.]

"What can those measly resource points do?" Li Ling complained. "It's not even enough to build a single Dreadnought."

The system was silent for a moment. [Host, what exactly do you want?]

"A second rock-paper-scissors loan," Li Ling said straightforwardly. "I need more Dreadnoughts, more ammunition, and more supplies."

[Host, your appetite is getting bigger and bigger.]

"I have no choice," Li Ling spread his hands. "The enemy is getting stronger, so I have to get stronger too. Otherwise, should I just wait to die?"

The system fell silent again.

Li Ling knew the system was calculating, so he didn't rush it. He picked up his teacup and sipped slowly.

After about five minutes, the system finally spoke.

[The system agrees to the second loan. However, the host must agree to one condition.]

"What condition?" Li Ling's eyes lit up.

[The resources from this loan must be entirely used for naval construction. They cannot be diverted for anything else.]

"Fine!" Li Ling agreed without hesitation. "Anyway, what I need most right now is the navy."

[Very well. Rock-paper-scissors, best of three.]

"Wait," Li Ling suddenly called a halt. "This time, you have to 'intentionally lose' to me."

[When has the system ever 'intentionally lost'?]

"You 'intentionally lost' last time," Li Ling smiled. "Let's do it again this time."

[Host, the system did not 'intentionally lose'; the system was merely unlucky.]

"Come on," Li Ling curled his lip. "As if I don't know what you're thinking. Alright, alright, let's begin."

Rock-paper-scissors.

In the first round, Li Ling played rock, and the system played scissors.

"I won!" Li Ling cheered.

[Second round.]

In the second round, Li Ling played paper, and the system played rock.

"I won again!" Li Ling jumped up. "Best of three, I won!"

[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the second loan.]

"What are the contents of the loan?" Li Ling asked impatiently.

[Contents of the second loan: construction resources for three Dreadnoughts, twenty thousand tons of special steel, five thousand tons of ammunition, and a batch of specialized naval equipment.]

Li Ling was stunned upon hearing this.

"That's it?" He couldn't believe it. "At least the last loan included three Pre-dreadnoughts. Why are there only construction resources for three Dreadnoughts this time?"

[Last time was a novice loan, which came with a discount. This time is a regular loan, with no discounts.]

"You're being way too stingy!" Li Ling grew anxious. "What can three Dreadnoughts do? The United Fleet has over fifty vessels. What am I supposed to fight them with?"

[Doesn't the host still have three hidden Dreadnoughts? Adding these three makes a total of six. Six Dreadnoughts against fifty outdated vessels yields a very high chance of victory.]

"A very high chance of victory?" Li Ling rolled his eyes. "Do you even understand naval warfare? Although Dreadnoughts are powerful, they are not invincible. The enemy has over fifty vessels. If they attack in waves, how long can my six Dreadnoughts hold out?"

[The system has calculated that the win rate is over seventy percent.]

"Seventy percent?" Li Ling shook his head. "Not enough. I want one hundred percent."

[There is no such thing as a one hundred percent win rate.]

"Then I will find a way to raise it to one hundred percent." Li Ling stood up and paced back and forth. "Three Dreadnoughts are not enough. I want six."

[Host, do not push your luck.]

"This isn't pushing my luck; it's a reasonable demand." Li Ling stopped and looked at the system's projection. "System, think about it. If I am defeated, you will go down with me. Helping me is helping yourself."

[The system will not go down; the system will merely lose its host.]

"...That's really cold of you to say."

[The system is merely telling the truth.]

Li Ling took a deep breath and decided to change his strategy.

He began to throw a tantrum.

"System, can't you give me a bit more, considering how hard I work?" He sat on the floor, hugging his legs. "I wake up early and sleep late every day, training the army, researching tactics, entertaining guests... I can't even get a good night's sleep. Do you have the heart to watch me suffer like this?"

[Host, you are acting.]

"I am not acting!" Li Ling said righteously. "Everything I said is the truth!"

[The system saw that the host was with the princess last night and slept quite well.]

"...That was at night! I work very hard during the day!"

[During the day, the host also dined, took walks, and played chess with the princess.]

"That was for work!" Li Ling prevaricated. "I need to win over the princess so she will truly help me. Of course I have to spend time with her!"

The system fell silent for a moment.

[Host, the system will add resources for one more Dreadnought. No more than that.]

"Two!" Li Ling bargained.

[One.]

"One and a half!"

[...The system compromises: one and a half. However, for the resources of this one and a half, the host must find a way to make up the other half yourself.]

"Deal!" Li Ling agreed swiftly. "I have a way."

[How does the host plan to do that?]

"Sell warships," Li Ling smiled. "Hasn't the German Empire always wanted to buy my Battleships? I'll sell them two more, and use the money to make up for the resources for that one and a half."

[Host, you are robbing Peter to pay Paul.]

"This is called resource optimization," Li Ling said smugly. "You wouldn't understand."

The system fell silent again.

After a moment, the system spoke: [The loan resources have been credited. Please check and receive them.]

Li Ling opened the system panel and indeed saw the construction resources for an additional three and a half Dreadnoughts.

"That's enough," he smiled. "Adding the original three, that makes six and a half. Although one is only half-built, it will do."

[Host, the system reminds you not to underestimate the United Fleet. They have come prepared this time, and the caliber of their commanders is higher than before.]

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "So I won't underestimate the enemy."

He walked over to the nautical chart and began to make deployments.

"Have the Production Base work at full capacity to maximize the construction speed of the Dreadnoughts." He pointed to the nautical chart. "Also, have the Submarine forces prepare. I want to cut off their supply lines before the United Fleet can assemble."

[Understood.]

"In addition, send the Special Forces to the mainland of Japan to conduct sabotage," Li Ling continued. "Blow up their shipyards, ammunition depots, and fuel depots so they won't be able to attack with full force."

[Host, you are launching an undeclared war.]

"They are already about to attack me, why would I declare war?" Li Ling sneered. "He who strikes first gains the upper hand, while he who hesitates is lost. I understand this principle."

[The host is sounding more and more like a warmonger.]

"So be it," Li Ling said indifferently. "As long as I can win, I don't care what others think of me."

Over the next few days, Li Ling was incredibly busy.

He went to the military camp during the day and the Production Base at night, leaving him with no time to even accompany the princess.

Although the princess felt a bit neglected, she understood. Knowing that Li Ling was preparing for war, she did not dare to disturb him.

"Husband, you must take care of your health," the princess said, walking into the study with a late-night snack. "Don't overwork yourself."

Li Ling looked up and saw the princess carrying a tray with a bowl of steaming tangyuan.

"Your Highness, why aren't you asleep yet?" He took the tray.

"I couldn't sleep," the princess sat down beside him. "What are you busy with, Husband?"

"Preparing for war," Li Ling took a bite of a tangyuan. "The Japan's United Fleet is coming soon; I have to be prepared."

The princess looked at him, her eyes filled with worry.

"Husband, must there be a war? Can't we make peace?"

"Make peace?" Li Ling set down his bowl and smiled bitterly. "Your Highness, you are too naive. What Japan wants is not peace, but my life. They want to crush me and then annex Qingxia. Making peace at a time like this would only make them even more arrogant."

The princess fell silent for a moment. "Then is there anything I can do to help?"

"Your Highness just needs to help me stabilize the rear," Li Ling held her hand. "As long as you are here, I will have no worries about the future."

The princess nodded. "Rest assured, Husband. I will definitely help you secure Jiangning Prefecture."

Li Ling smiled and continued eating the tangyuan.

After finishing, he escorted the princess back to her room, then returned to the study to continue working.

[Host, the princess's favorability has reached eighty.]

"Oh?" Li Ling was somewhat surprised. "So fast?"

[She feels sorry for you seeing how hard you are working.]

"That's good," Li Ling smiled. "It seems the political marriage was the right move."

[Host, the system reminds you not to pin all your hopes on the marriage alliance. The imperial family is not the princess; they could turn against you at any moment.]

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "So, I am good to the princess because she is worth it, not because she is a princess."

[The host certainly knows how to distinguish between the two.]

"Of course," Li Ling said proudly. "I am a master of romance, after all."

[...The system has retracted the notification of the favorability increase.]

"Can you not always do this?"